Elevating Your Dog s Health Exploring the Benefits of River Run Pet Food

The Benefits of Proper Nutrition

All necessary vitamins and minerals are included in complete and balanced dog foods. This means that additional foods or supplements are not necessary for your pets general health.

What does Good Nutrition do for your Dog?

The proper balance of nutrients is essential when feeding your dog. Animals (and humans) need a certain combination of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water every day in order to function normally. Balanced nutrition is no accident pet food manufacturers work hard to determine the exact formula that goes into their products so that they provide everything your dog needs on a daily basis.

There are foods designed for specific stages of life (such as for puppies or geriatric dogs), while some provide hypoallergenic nutrition and other formulations are developed to control specific health conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, etc.

Each and every nutrient in your dogs food has a purpose. Without adequate nutrition, your dog would not be able to maintain muscle tone, build and repair muscles, teeth, and bone, perform normal daily activities with ease or fight-off infection. Proteins provide a source of energy and help with muscle function and growth. Fats provide energy, help the brain function, and keep the skin and hair coat shiny and healthy. Carbohydrates supply a source of quick energy that allow your dog to be active and energetic. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for muscle contraction and nerve conduction and they work to prevent disease.

Muscle Tone and Body Condition

Every single cell in the body is made up of protein. It is integral in building skin, hair, muscles, organs and other tissues. Protein is necessary to repair damaged cells and make new ones. Protein is especially important for young, growing and pregnant animals. The protein in your dogs diet ensures that he is able to build and maintain strong muscles. This is why one of the first few ingredients on a dog food label should be a protein source (chicken, beef, etc.).

Skin and Hair Coat Health

Everyone knows that a dog with a rich, shiny hair coat is most likely in good health. This is because dogs eating the proper balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids will have skin that is healthy which produces hair with a nice sheen. Skin that is dry will lead to hair that easily splits, breaks, and falls out easily. Foods with adequate omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect to reduce itching and other irritations caused by allergies or environmental conditions (like low humidity levels in the winter).

Digestion and Elimination

Carbohydrates provide fiber that helps aid digestion and elimination. Dog foods are formulated so that the needed nutrients are readily available to your dogs digestive system and thus easily absorbed by the body. Digestibility is important so your dog can use all the nutrients in his food and easily rid his body of waste products. Your dogs food should provide all the nutrition he needs while producing only a minimum of stool to be picked up as the end result.

Immunity and Prevention of Disease

The vitamins and minerals found in every bag of dog food work together to keep your dogs immune system and metabolism functioning normally. Vitamins work to reduce the damage done to body cells on a daily basis. Minerals promote the normal function of the cells that maintain health. Vitamins and minerals come from both plant and animal sources in the diet. Without adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, your pet would eventually become ill.

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Boost your health: The benefits of having a pet

After a stressful morning, Gab Klotz crawls into bed with her chihuahua and cats. Then she rests and destresses petting and snuggling with the animals while listening to the loud purring from Monster, her always-content orange tabby.

It relaxes me, says the insurance property underwriter who works from home. When Im in bed with them, I can breathe and my heart rate slows. Afterward, Im much calmer and ready to tackle the remainder of my day.

Klotzs experience hints at some of the ways pets contribute to improved well-being.

The connection between pets and health

Research into the connection between pets and human health dates back at least four decades, with dozens of studies pointing to several surprising benefits.

Pets may contribute to improved well-being in several ways, says Denise M. Millstine, M.D., who specializes in integrative medicine and health at Mayo Clinic. Pets can:

• Keep us company, which makes us feel less alone.
• Make us laugh and smile, which can lift mood and manage stress.
• Comfort us during hard times.
• Encourage us to exercise and get outdoors.
• Give us routine and purpose.

3 ways pets can improve your physical health

Pets do more than serve as loyal companions. They may also help protect heart and brain health.

Protecting heart health

Chronic stress can contribute to higher levels of inflammation, leading to poor blood vessel health. By flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol, stress also increases heart rate and blood pressure.

However, pets can help counteract stress.

When you stroke or cuddle with your pet, your brain releases oxytocin. This hormone encourages you to draw closer to your loved ones and helps buffer stress. Pets can also inspire you to do other activities that are good for overall heart health, like getting enough exercise.

Slowing cognitive decline

Although not all studies agree, owning a pet may have a positive effect on cognitive health. A 2023 study found that older adults who owned a pet for over five years scored higher on regular cognitive tests than did older adults without pets. The study couldnt say whether pet ownership caused better test scores, or why that may be the case. But the study authors listed potential pet effects like increased oxytocin, increased physical activity, decreased incidence of high blood pressure and lower stress as some possible contributing factors.

Mental health benefits of owning a pet

Pets need us, and its good to feel needed.

They need to be fed and go out on a schedule, says Dr. Millstine.

Particularly in times of stress and anxiety, its important to maintain routines, which can help center you and improve your sense of control over your life.

All of that might explain why pet owners report:

Improved stress management

As mentioned earlier, snuggling with a pet can release oxytocin, helping to reduce stress. In one study, interacting with a dog for 10 minutes helped college students feel less stressed before final exams.

Reduced loneliness

Loneliness and social isolation are stressors that increase risk for several diseases, including dementia, heart disease and stroke.

However, pets can help us feel less alone.

In a study of 448 people completed during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, study participants completed online surveys that measured their mental health. According to the surveys, pet owners coped better with the isolation of lockdowns than did non-pet owners. People with pets also scored higher on measures of positive emotions and well-being.

Interestingly, the pet doesnt have to be a living being to help people feel less alone.

For people who cant care for a live pet, substitutes like pet robots also may help protect mental health. In one small study, older adults with dementia in a residential care facility were given robotic cat or dog companions. The animal robots had fake fur like stuffed animals, and were able to react to touch and sound through actions such as meowing, barking and wagging their tails. After living with these pets for six weeks, study participants scored lower on measures of depression and loneliness.

Social health benefits of owning a pet

Think about what happens when you walk a dog or share a photo of your cat on social media.

People feel very open to approaching your pet, which can help you connect with other humans in your community, says Dr. Millstine.

This boost in social health may contribute to improved physical and mental health. People experiencing loneliness or social isolation are more likely to develop heart disease, dementia and depression. On the flip side, people who feel more socially connected tend to live longer, healthier lives.

Pets are no panacea

Like prescription medications, pets offer many health benefits yet they can also come with some undesirable side effects.

When pets sleep in your bed, you might find comfort. But pets also might move around at night and wake you repeatedly.

Like humans, pets age, which can lead to expensive veterinarian care and will eventually lead to the grief of loss.

If youre less mobile, it may be difficult to care for a pet: Dogs need to go outdoors to relieve themselves and bags of litter and food may be heavy to lift.

Similarly, some pets can get in your way or jump on you, creating a fall risk. So when deciding whether to bring a new pet into your home, take the many pros into account and weigh them against the cons.

Relevant reading

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence

This easy-to-understand book is a source of hope and assurance for all individuals who experience bladder and bowel control problems. Its message is that incontinence isnt something people need to live with; most incontinence can be improved or cured. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence is a helpful resource to successfully manage

5 Benefits of Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs: Myths or Facts?

Over the years, there have been plenty of contention topics among dog owners are grains good or bad?

Should dogs be spayed or neutered before a certain age?

Can they see color?

However, one topic that has repeatedly been questioned is the benefit or detriment of elevated food bowls for dogsand how these now popular raised dog food bowls affect our pets.

What are elevated dog food bowls?

An elevated dog food bowl is any pet food bowl that does not sit directly on the floor. The actual height of elevation of the bowl may vary based on design. There are elevated dog food bowls (also called raised dog food bowls) that come in set elevations for different-sized dogs.

There are adjustable raised pet food bowls that allow owners to choose a specific bowl height.

With the popularity of raised food bowls, many pet owners have wondered if they should ditch their old regular dog food bowls and start their canines on elevated ones due to the potential benefits they provide.

However, there's more to know about elevated pet food bowls than some sources may lead you to believe.

How to pick a raised dog food bowl?

If there are different heights for elevated bowls, how does one find the correct and perfect height of an elevated food bowl for a pet?

If you decide to switch from regular dog food bowls to using elevated feeders for your dog, height is the main component to consider, and it's essential to select a raised bowl at the correct height.

Measuring is key.

How to measure:

The best way to measure your dog to get the right elevated dog bowl is to get your Fido to stand with his legs directly underneath him.

From here, get a tape measure and measure from the floor up to the point where your dogs front legs meet the chest.

Alternately, you can measure from the floor up to your dogs shoulder and subtract between 3 and 6 depending upon his overall height.

You want to subtract 6 for larger dogs, whereas for smaller dogs, you would subtract 3.

Just remember: if you aim to reduce stress on your dog's spine or neck, you should use a raised dog food bowl tall enough to do this.

However, I recommend first reading this article and doing enough of your own research on using raised bowls, and here's why.

Elevated food bowls for dogs have been advertised as having many benefits for dogs' health.

Unfortunately, not all of those advertised benefits hold.

Lets take a look at some of these widely spread truths and falsehoods from a scientific viewpoint.

READ MORE:Mealtime Battle Regular Dog Bowl vs. Raised Dog Bowl

5 Myths and Facts ofElevated Food Bowls for Dogs

1 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Reduce Bloat in Large Breeds

This is FALSE.

When first promoted, raised dog food bowls were sold as something extremely beneficial for larger breed dogs at a higher risk of bloating.

This view was sold as science because it resulted from a statistical study (the Glickman Study).

However, this was no proper study, and the conclusion was extremely flawed.

All that this study did was look at the information of other available, non-science-based literature and anecdotal evidence that already existed and did no research into the matter at all.

In fact, the largest study on contributing factors to canine bloat in larger breed dogs to date says the exact opposite.

Elevated feeding may induce bloating in canines, especially in those with sensitive stomachs.

True, this study wasn't perfect; however, it's the best research paper we have to date.

From what research the scientific community currently has, the idea that elevated feeders can prevent bloat in large-breed dogs is questionable at best.

So, do elevated feeders for dogs reduce bloating in larger breeds? The correct answer here would be that we don't know for sure, but, likely, they DO NOT.

RELATED:5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How to Prevent It

2 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Create a Healthier Posture for Dogs

This one is both TRUE and FALSE.

Companies promoted elevated food bowls for dogs to prevent bloating in large dogs because they are supposed to create a healthier eating posture.

The truth is that, most likely, dogs have evolved to eat in a head-down posture (sources: 1, 2, 3), so eating in a different posture may not necessarily be a good thing.

With that being said, in theory, this altered posture can be beneficial in other instances, such as older, arthritic, or injured dogs.

When a dog has a case of canine arthritis, joint pain, or immobility issues, eating with a head-down posture can cause excess strain and pain.

By raising your dog's food bowl, your pet no longer has to experience those pains and strains because they do not have to lean down as far to eat.

This has not been researched, though, and is mostly guesswork.

So, is elevated feeding good or bad for older or injured large-breed dogs? There is still controversy here, as I've indicated in my theory.

Since the evidence is scarce to support each side's benefits and detriments, it is a matter of the owner's preference.

RELATED:5 Best Collapsible Dog Bowls for Easy Travel

3 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Promote Cleaner Eating

This is FALSE.

Somewhere along the line (probably with new companies trying to sell the revolutionary raised dog food bowls and making stuff up) came the myth that elevated dog feeders promoted cleaner eating spaces for canines.

We arent sure where this idea came from, but this one is absolutely false and has no scientific or even logical basis.

Because of how dogs evolved to drink water and consume food, regardless of the height of your dog's food bowl, your pet can still spill kibble, drop kibble, or even move kibble outside of his bowl.

When dogs consume food, they have their mouths in the same proximity to the source regardless of height.

There is no science on how elevated dog food bowls promote cleaner eating, nor do we need it; watch your pooch eat.

4 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Don'tSlide Across the Floor

This is TRUE.

One concern that some dog owners have is the fact that their dog moves his bowl across the floor as he eats.

Elevated feeders can certainly prevent this from happening, and there's no doubt about that.

However, it is worth noting that a raised dog food bowl is not the only solution to the problem.

Just off the top of my head, two other things that can solve this issue are bowls with rubber on the bottom that prevents sliding or rubbery dog food mats where you can place your Fido's bowl to prevent sliding (which also helps to keep the area cleaner).

Therefore, because we have reasons to believe that elevated food bowls for dogs pose a potential hazard for some breeds to develop bloating, it may be better to choose alternative solutions to the sliding bowl problem rather than opt for an elevated feeder.

READ THIS:Dog Food Bowls That Slow Down Eating When Do You Need One?

5 Elevated Bowls SolveOne SpecificProblematic Behavior in Dogs

This is TRUE.

One particular behavioral issue in dogs that isn't common but can be seen often enough for owners to start looking for solutions attempting to swim or dig into the water bowls, even if the bowl is small.

Some dogs, particularly those with a high predilection for water, spend a great deal of time trying to paddle in their water bowls as if it's the pool.

There's no explanation for this other than they like to be in the water.

The issue is most common with puppies.

Elevated feeders definitely discourage dogs from turning their water source into a pool.

VIDEO GUIDE:How to Choose the Right Dog Bowl (step by step)

The Final Verdict

Frustratingly, when I try to summarize my conclusions on the benefits of elevated food bowls for dogs, I must admit that there are both benefits and detriments to their use. Overall, I would say that the potential cons of using elevated dog food bowls outweigh the possible pros (unless you have a particular reason to use them).

So if you are considering using a raised dog food bowl for your Fido, my advice is that you weigh these pros and cons against your specific case and your specific dog before making your final decision.

Remember to consider the added cost of raised dog food bowls, especially if you're currently on a budget dog food diet.

Say you have a Great Dane and want to use an elevated feeder to reduce the strain on his neck and spine while eating.

Science indicates that an elevated feeder in larger dogs prone to bloating more easily is contradictory.

So, while your Great Dane may not experience strain in his neck from eating at an elevated feeder, the risk of bloating trumps this benefit.

Say you have a 14-year-old Basenji (a breed not particularly prone to bloat) with a severe case of canine arthritis in the neck, spine, and legs.

You want to use an elevated feeder to assist with posture-related pain and strain.

Common sense indicates that using an elevated feeder in this instance would be beneficial.

Potentially alleviating pain and strain and would not pose concerns of increased risk of canine bloat.

Whatever your decision, definitely speak with your veterinarian before making a switch to a new dog feeder.

Explain the concerns that you have and ask for advice on the best methods to fix them.

Maybe the answer is elevated food bowls for dogs, and maybe it's not.

Common Questions About Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs

If you still have any lingering questions about elevated food bowls for dogs, the following information should help.

Should a Dogs Food Bowl Be Elevated?

You should consider elevating your dogs food bowl if he is elderly or has issues with his joints or bones. Stick to other options if your dog is a larger breed.

Why Are Elevated Dog Bowls Bad?

Elevated dog bowls are only bad for certain dogs. Specific breeds are at a higher risk of bloat if they eat from an elevated bowl.

Do Elevated Dog Bowls Help?

Yes, elevated dog bowls can help your dog, especially if he has bad joints or bones. It can reduce the strain on his joints, including his hips and neck.

Do Raised Dog Food Bowls Cause Bloat?

Depending on the breed, elevated food bowls for dogs can cause bloat. Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk.

Let your pup take advantage of an elevated bowl.

Are our Raised Dog Bowls Dangerous?

As long as you know the risk of bloat and take proper precautions, raised dog bowls are not dangerous. To be safe, consult your dogs vet before switching him to an elevated bowl.

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